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OLDER DRIVERS
“Older” drivers (age 70 and older) have higher rates of fatal crashes, based on estimated annual travel, than any other group except young drivers, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Recognizing the higher crash rates and the need for older drivers to retain their mobility and independence, some states issue restricted licenses. Depending on ability, older drivers may be limited to driving during daylight hours or on nonfreeway types of roads. In most states, restrictions such as these can be placed on anyone’s drivers license, regardless of age, if their medical condition warrants it.
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In 2001, 19.1 million, or 10 percent of all licensed drivers, were over the age of 70 (latest data available).
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The number of over-70 drivers grew 32 percent in the 10 years ending in 2001, while the total number of drivers rose only 13 percent.
STATE DRIVERS LICENSE RENEWAL LAWS INCLUDING REQUIREMENTS FOR OLDER DRIVERS
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Drivers License Renewal Laws
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Require retest for renewals at all ages (1)
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Age at which states require older drivers to pass tests
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State
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Vision
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Road
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Know-
ledge
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Medical
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Vision
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Road
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Know-
ledge
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Medical
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Require doctors to report medical conditions (2)
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Age at which mail renewal must be made in person
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Alabama |
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Alaska |
X |
(3) |
X |
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69 (13) |
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Arizona |
X |
(3) |
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65+ |
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70 |
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Arkansas |
X |
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California |
X |
(3) |
X |
(3) |
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X (4) |
70 (13) |
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Colorado |
X |
(3) |
(3) |
X |
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66 (13) |
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Connecticut |
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65+ |
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65 |
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Delaware |
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(3) |
(3) |
(3) |
(3) |
(3) |
(3) |
(3) |
X |
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D.C. |
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70+ |
75+ |
75+ |
70+ |
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Florida |
X |
(3) |
(3) |
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80+ |
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Georgia |
X |
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(3) |
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X |
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Hawaii |
X |
(3) |
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(3) |
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(3) |
(3) |
(3) |
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Idaho |
X |
(3) |
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(3) |
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Illinois |
(5) |
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X |
(3) |
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75+ |
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Indiana |
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(3) |
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(3) |
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Iowa |
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(3) |
(3) |
(3) |
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Kansas |
X |
(3) |
X |
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Kentucky |
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(3) |
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(3) |
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Louisiana |
X |
(3) |
X |
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70 (13) |
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Maine |
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40, 62+ (6) |
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Maryland |
X |
(3) |
(3) |
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40+ |
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(3) |
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Mass. |
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Michigan |
X |
(3) |
X |
(3) |
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Minnesota |
X |
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X |
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Mississippi |
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(3) |
(3) |
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Missouri |
X |
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Montana |
X |
(3) |
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(13) |
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Nebraska |
X |
(3) |
(3) |
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Nevada |
X (7) |
(3) |
(3) |
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65+ |
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70+ (8) |
X |
(14) |
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N. Hampshire |
X |
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New Jersey |
(9) |
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75+ |
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X |
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New Mexico |
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New York |
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(3) |
(3) |
(3) |
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North Carolina |
X |
(3) |
X |
(3) |
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North Dakota |
X |
(3) |
(3) |
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Ohio |
X |
(3) |
(3) |
(3) |
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Oklahoma |
(9) |
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Oregon |
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50+ |
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X |
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Pennsylvania |
(10) |
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(8) |
45+ (11) |
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45+ (11) |
X |
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Rhode Island |
X |
(3) |
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(3) |
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South Carolina |
X |
(3) |
(3) |
(3) |
65+ |
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South Dakota |
X |
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Tennessee |
(12) |
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Texas |
X |
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(3) |
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Utah |
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(3) |
(3) |
X |
65+ |
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X |
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Vermont |
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Virginia |
X |
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(3) |
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80+ |
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Washington |
(3) |
(3) |
(3) |
X |
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West Virginia |
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X |
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Wisconsin |
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(3) |
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(3) |
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Wyoming |
X |
(3) |
(3) |
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(1) Periodic retests. Some states will waive vision retests for mail renewal or clean-record drivers.
(2) Physicians must report physical conditions that might impair driving skills.
(3) Retesting only for cause, e.g., after specific number of accidents or other points and infractions, for specific physical conditions; sometimes at examiner’s discretion.
(4) Specifically requires doctors to report a diagnosis of dementia.
(5) 8-year vision re-examination.
(6) Vision tests are required at first renewal at age 40; at every second renewal after age 40; at every renewal after age 62.
(7) Except for in-state renewals by mail, unless applicant is over 70.
(8) Renewing by mail.
(9) Ten percent of all renewals are screened.
(10) Ten percent of drivers at or over 45 randomly chosen for medical and/or vision test.
(11) Random re-examination at specified age.
(12) Will retest at renewal for non-specified cause.
(13) Mail renewal not available to drivers who previously renewed by mail.
(14) Applicants for mail renewal age 70+ must include a medical report.
Source: U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration; AARP; American Automobile Association; American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators; Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. |
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Source: Insurance Information Institute, Inc. www.iii.org
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